Question of the Week: 78 - 9/22/2002Would You Take Part in a Public Event or Protest AS a Pagan?Many Pagans or Heathens have always been a little leery about taking part in public events, protests or in signing their real names to letters or petitions. Given the current climate in the United States and across the world since 9/11, are you more or less inclined to be open about your spiritual beliefs or religion than you once were? Are you more fearful of reprisals or discrimination? Do you think that you would be placed on a surveillance list if you participated in public events or signed petitions with your legal name? Are you more cautious than you may have been before? Or have the events emboldened you to take a more public stance?

Absolutely!! I take part in public pagan events on a regular basis. While I realize that there are many important reasons why pagans of all paths may have to keep their views hidden, I feel that if at all possible, pagans should be out of the "broom closet" If we remain hidden, then we can not promote education and tolerance of pagan practices.As a Priestess, I feel that it is part of my responsibility to try and provide informtion and educate non pagans as often as I can. Since I am very visable as a witch, I have many opportunities to answer questions from the curious. I am well known in my city as a witch and as a result am often contacted, especially around Samhain, by the local papers as a source for their seasonal stories. In this way at least I can be reasonably sure that correct information is getting to the public. One local high school English teacher uses an interview that I did for the local paper a few years back,every year as part of her class instruction about "The Crucible".

In a heart beat. I've protested Vietnam, been a part in sit-ins and when I young and stupid protested against homosexauls(sp?) Yes, sometimes its hard to speak out, but more than ever do we need to stand up for each other and ourselves. I'm not afaid to speak out when needed and when I'm wrong, that's okay,too. This is how we learn. Being afraid holds us back. Hey, the founding fathers and mothers went forward with their beliefs, can we do less? Blessed Be

Oh, I'd be out there in a second. If I feel my rights are being tread upon, I can and will fight back. Though violence is silly, self-defense and peaceful protest are fine with me. I can't even count the number of times I've had others tell me I'm going to hell, am evil, etc. It doesn't help when your Vice Principal teaches Sunday school, either. I can take a lot of things in stride, but when it comes right down to it, I wear my pentacle with pride. (Or would, if it wasn't at the bottom of Lake Elsinore right now >.

Yes, i would because it shows other religions were not afraid to liveup to our potential. I take great pride in being a pagan and if i haveto go to a rally and protests to prove it so be it! I am going to live up to it and show other religons i am not afraid to fly my religion high in the sky. We were in britan first and now it's time to take back what rightfully ours. We were once number one but then other religionspushed us back into the darkness and we have to step on uot and show themthey havent won yet. It aint going to be like that anymore were going to prosper if we show our pride as a pagan!

I'm very proud to be Pagan/Wiccan and I would gladly sign my name to any petition that I believe in the outcome as a Pagan. I would also march in a protest as a Pagan. And I would just generally stand up for my right as a Pagan. If someoen doesn't like it then that's their problem. If they want to put me on a list of people to watch so be it but I'm not going to hide my beliefs. We are suppose to be in the land of the 'free' and in that freedom I have the RIGHT to be whatever religon I want and this is the one that chose me. I love the Goddess and all she stand for and I'll stand up for her any day!

Some of the most valuable lessons I've learned since I've chosen this path is that being proud of being Pagan doesn't necessarly mean I have to force my beliefs to be credible. Yes, I wear my pentacle proudly, and hope that my actions speak louder than and words could. I know I'm grateful for any and all who chose to fight for the same causes that are dear to my heart. My love of the Spirit is best demonstrated by me as not being afraid to speak up, drawing from the wisdom of those who guide me, and simply being the best I can be. If we all behave as tho "someone is watching us", we can be sure that we're probably acting in the best interest of all! Blessed Be!

N0 longer dishonoured or discouragedI am free from ye envy & hate, As I stand alone amid the darkness with honour & prideFor I am me,As I am meant to beMy heart is pure & My mind is freeNo other way is it to beFor My soul is FreeAs it should always be For Pagan am I By K.C.Yes I would be there.Blessings Katrina.

I am 10 months from retiring from the US Navy and have recently updated my Page 2 to reflect a religious affiliation with Wicca. Now, Wicca isn't my true faith, but the closest thing the Federal Government recognizes. So with that mile stone passed, needless to say if the cause was one I felt strongly about, I would be there singing and dancing.

I am relatively new to Wicca and very grateful to have found my way to it after years of wavering between agnosticism and atheism because of my dissatifaction with all mainstream religions.

Yes, I will go to public gathering if they interest me. I'm taking my young children to the Pagan Festival in Hollywood this fall. As far as being "out" in regular life I am a teacher so I trade my pentacle for a more innocuous goddess symbol during the week but I do love to wear my pentacle and so proudly all summer and on weekends. I attribute the fact that the pentacle phases very few people (or that they don't say anything) to the fact that I live in a large metropolitan area. Finally something good about living in L.A.--besides beach and sunshine, of course.

After 2 years of my college roommate telling me I was going to hell (jokingly, every time, of course! - right), I pretty much don't care what strangers think of me or my religion. I am who I am and I'm rather happy and proud of that. I wear my pentacle and if someone asks, I tell them. All of my co-workers know I'm pagan and they're all cool with it. I'd sign a petition with my real name and I'd participate in Pagan Pride activities.-Lissa

i would be more then willing to attend, a pagan/ wiccan event or gathering of any sort, but i do have to say that after 9-11 i am more worried about bringing my 5 year old Daughter, as for people in public places i have had nothing but warm responces from strangers & co-workers. most of my family dose not know & my best friend has had very negative responces to my "coming out of the broom closet" but have found that another of my friends is still safely inside. i have also had another christan friend ask me to locate a pentical identical to mine, because he fell in love with minewalk in love & light of the goddess ~Alah

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